New Library opening hours to start in May
Opening hours for West Sussex Libraries are to change from May 10, after more than 10,000 people across the county responded to a three-week customer consultation. They were asked to comment on preferred patterns of opening, and were also invited to two-hour ‘surgeries’ held by senior managers in each of the county’s 36 libraries.
The new hours create a harmonised opening pattern across the county, and focus on times when people most want to use their Libraries. It means all are now open six days a week including lunch hours – some Libraries were previously open only on five days. The actual hours at each library vary in response to local factors, most importantly the preferences local people expressed during the consultation.
The changes in opening hours mean that money has been freed up to invest in libraries. Previous consultation has shown high demand for things like self service and drop off points. These service improvements will be introduced as soon as possible in the coming months following the changes to opening hours.
“We are confident that within the constraints of delivering an affordable service, the new opening hours are tailored to reflect customer choice,” said Brad Watson, County Council Cabinet Member who oversees Libraries. “Our customers value the fact that their preferences and views were considered. This was very evident at the surgeries.” A senior team carefully analysed the results of the consultation, and built many of these into the final decisions.
“These are tough economic times, but unlike in other parts of the country all of our Libraries have remained open,” continued Brad. “We are looking at all other aspects of the service, to see how we can become more efficient, and provide even better service to our customers.”
The new opening hours will be:
Chichester, Worthing, Crawley Horsham:
Monday to Friday 9am to 7pm, Saturdays 9am to 5pm.
Bognor Regis, East Grinstead, Haywards Heath:
Monday: 9.30am to 7pm
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 9.30am to 6pm Friday, Saturday: 9.30am to 5pm
Burgess Hill:
Monday to Friday: 9.30am to 5.30pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm
Lancing:
Monday to Friday: 10am to 6pm
Saturday 10am to 4pm
Littlehampton and Shoreham:
Monday: 10am to 7pm
Tuesday to Thursday: 10am to 6pm
Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 4pm
Storrington:
Monday to Friday: 9.30am to 5.30pm
Saturday 10am to 4pm
Billingshurst, Broadfield, Durrington, Goring, Henfield, Midhurst, Rustington, Selsey, Southwick, Steyning, Willowhale:
Monday to Friday: 10am to 5pm
Saturday: 10am to 2pm
Angmering:
Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm
Saturday: 9am to 1pm
Arundel and Broadwater:
Monday to Wednesday: 1pm to 5pm
Thursday to Saturday: 9am to 1pm
East Preston:
Monday to Wednesday: 1pm to 5pm
Thursday to Saturday: 10am to 2pm
Ferring:
Monday to Thursday: 9am to 1pm
Friday: 1pm to 5pm
Saturday: 9am to 1pm
Findon Valley:
Monday to Wednesday: 1pm to 5pm
Thursday to Saturday: 9am to 1pm
Hassocks and Hurstpierpoint:
Monday to Wednesday: 9am to 1pm
Thursday and Friday: 1pm to 5pm
Saturday: 9am to 1pm
Petworth, Pulborough, Southwater, Witterings:
Monday to Wednesday: 1pm to 5pm
Thursday to Saturday: 9am to 1pm
Southbourne:
Monday to Friday: 1pm to 5pm
Saturday: 9am to 1pm
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